Today was probably the hottest Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza Day on record. It was a lovely sunny day in late November.

The Mayor, Councillor Angela Lawrence – a long time advocate of Fair Trade, visited the Fair Trade Christmas Bazaar, at St Ethelwold’s House, in the morning.

There was no best shop window competition this year. But looking round, and I am no judge, it would have been between Fabulous Flowers …

and Oxfam. Snow was falling throughout the day on the Reindeer inside the window. If they don’t turn the snow off soon it will drift.

At midday, waiting in Queens Street Carpark for the start of the Christmas Extravaganza Parade, were the Mayor, Mace Bearer, Town Crier, and Town Clerk.

Various community groups were also waiting to take part in the midday parade, including some junior members of the cast of a play that will be performed in the Unicorn Theater from Wednesday 10th December to Sunday 14th December – called Scrooge. More Info Here.

The Oxford Caledonian Pipes and Drums Band led the parade.

Throughout the day people visited Abingdon shops, and coffee shops. They ate Hog roasted by the Crown and Thistle, partook of beer brewed by Loose Cannon Brewery, and enjoyed entertainment provided by many community groups. Pictured above are the Abingdon Community Choir.

The day ended with fire juggling…

The Christmas Lights were switched on (pictures to follow) …

and fireworks.

More pictures of the day on AbingdonBlog Facebook.

The Christmas Extravaganza road signs are there for the parade at 11:45am on Saturday, 29th November 2014.

Once the parade is over there will be entertainment in the Market Place and Bath Street, and traffic can flow normally. Entertainment will include a mix of Bands, Choirs, Dancers, Street Entertainers, and Punch and Judy. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5:30pm followed by Fireworks.

To coincide with the Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza Day there will be free parking all day in all Abingdon’s car parks.

There are also other events that coincide with the Christmas Extravaganza Day:

• Fair Trade Christmas at St Ethelwolds House 10 am to 6 pm
• Ruby’s Vintage & Retro Fair at The Guildhall 10 am to 4 pm
• St Helen’s Church Christmas Market  10 am to 12.30 pm
• Our Lady’s Abingdon Christmas Fayre 10 am to 1 pm

The Remembrance Sunday commemorations are always an important event for our town, but especially so with this year marking a century since the start of the First World War.

Abingdon Town Band led dignitaries from the Guildhall for a Service of Remembrance and Reconciliation at St Helen’s Church at 10.00 am. There were guests from our twin town Lucca at the service, and one lesson was also read in Italian.

That was followed by a Remembrance Service at the war memorial. People began to arrive soon after 10.00 around the outside of The Square, leaving room for the uniformed organisations and dignitaries.

During this service Colonel Jon Asbee from Dalton Barracks read the exhortation …“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old…”

A bugler sounded the last post. There followed two minutes silence (to remember the fallen) at 11.00.

Then people sang “O God our help in ages past” during the laying of the wreaths. Not many veterans remain now from the 2nd World War.

In Italy, soldiers who died for the nation are remembered on 4th November, or the nearest Sunday, when the ceasefire that followed the Armistice of Villa Giusti in 1918 began. A lady from our twin town Lucca laid one of the many wreaths here in Abingdon.

The Minister then  said “Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service:”

“Will you strive for all that makes for peace?” People responded “We will.”

“Will you seek to heal the wounds of war?” People responded “We will.”

“Will you work for a just future for all humanity?” People responded “We will.”

After the singing of the National Anthem, the crowds cheered the parade of uniformed organisations. The Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, Angela Lawrence,  and the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, Nicola Blackwood, were among those taking the salute.

Wreaths are there to view for a few weeks more at the war memorial in Abingdon, if you can’t get to the sea of poppies round the Tower of London.

From banners seen around town there appear to be two big firework displays in the Abingdon area – to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

Last night there were fireworks at Dalton Barracks. It was put on by the army for army families and the local community, with a charity collection at the gate. The fairground attractions looked excellent.

The bonfire was a blazing success,

and the fireworks were amazing.

The second display, put on by the 2nd Abingdon Scouts, is on Saturday 8th November at the back of Long Furlong Community Centre. Gates open at 18:30. Free parking at Tilsley Park. Advance Tickets available from Newbury Building Society, and on the day on site. Family (2 adults, max 3 children aged 3 to 16 years) Advance £12.00: After 16:00 on the day £15.00. Single Advance £4.00: After 16:00 on the day £5.00.